A sample of 1,003 women, age 22 in 1983-84 and age 27 in 1988-89, were
selected from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth. Personal, familial, and
geopolitical predictors of alcohol consumption were evaluated at each time period and
longitudinally. The study integrated macro- and micro-level influences to determine
their influence on individual alcohol consumption. Personal and familial were most
influential. Availability of alcohol and political economy had little effect on
consumption. Mother's history of alcohol abuse was more important than father's. At
age 22 education, being married, and having children reduced consumption, as did a
prior affiliation with a religion that proscribed the use of alcohol reduced consumption.
At age 27 education, being married, and children decreased consumption, but religious
affiliation and parent's consumption were not significant. While marital status at age
22 reduced drinking at that age, it lead to greater consumption at age 27.